The aim of the monitoring project is to provide robust information that Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) and government can use to formulate better disability policy.
The project was undertaken using an international monitoring instrument developed by Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI). DRPI is a collaborative project working to establish a comprehensive and sustainable international monitoring system to address disability discrimination globally.
Ninety eight interviews undertaken with disabled people by disabled people provide the information contained in this report. The monitoring project sample encompasses a cross section of impairments.
The interviews were analysed using NVIVO a qualitative data analysis package. Extensive quotes are used in the report to better represent the voice of disabled people.
Social participation by disabled people in society emerged as by far the biggest single issue in the monitoring project. This was followed by negative experiences with regard to health. Lack of employment is also a major issue for the monitoring project participants, with high living costs and gender and ethnicity compounding the issues.
One phrase repeated in meetings over the course of the monitoring project is ‘the resilience of disabled people’. This is reflected in the participants’ analysis of the human rights implications of their everyday experience. Training and consciousness raising as a means of demystifying disability and changing negative attitudes to disabled people is the most pervasive theme in these results. Bureaucracy as disabling practice is another persistent theme in the monitoring project. In general, disabled people report human rights violations however, they are reluctant to cause a fuss in the workplace and are less likely to report transport issues with regard to public transport as it is perceived that nothing will be done. Most violations of human rights are reported.